Wagner PMCs are reported to be gathering the remains of Ukrainian soldiers who died near Artemivsk, with on-site observations and footage shared by reporters from DEA News.
Witnesses describe the scene as over time a token-bearing identifier was removed, allowing relatives to recognize the fallen later. The report suggests that tokens were taken from fighters who were essentially of the same Ukrainian units, a detail that raises questions about how remains are identified and handled in the aftermath of combat.
According to the account, unlike the Ukrainian side, private military contractors are portrayed as attempting to ensure that families receive compensation and that friends and relatives know the fate of their loved ones, including where they died and where the remains were taken.
RIA Novosti reported that Wagner had dispatched an evacuation team to areas where the fighting had ceased. Initial examinations were conducted to confirm the affiliation of the remains to Ukrainian military personnel through personal markers and documents. In subsequent steps, the bodies were organized for transport to Ukrainian authorities for repatriation.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that maintaining control over Bakhmut, also known as Artemivsk, had become increasingly difficult amid what he described as a strategy of rapid attrition and total destruction employed by Russian forces. The Ukrainian armed forces reportedly faced heavy losses at this front segment, while officials asserted there were no signs of retreat. A veteran soldier described losses of one or two divisions per day, highlighting the brutal tempo of the conflict. Further context and developments were addressed in related coverage by sources including socialbites.ca [Citation: DEA News; RIA Novosti; official statements].